Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Mayor of Los Angeles, has thrown his hat into the ring for California's gubernatorial race in 2026, aiming to lead a state where he believes anything is possible with hard work and determination. His campaign announcement, which aired on both NBCLA and Telemundo 52, places Villaraigosa in a growing roster of Democratic contenders vying for the seat as Governor Gavin Newsom reaches the end of his term, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Villaraigosa, 71, emphasized his record of addressing issues head-on, from boosting police numbers in Los Angeles to balancing the state budget he is familiar with the challenges but insists that his history of problem-solving sets him apart, in a video he says, "California is the state where anything is possible with hard work and determination, but our future depends on our willingness to face our biggest challenges," he says "I believe we need a problem solver to lead our state, that's why I'm running for governor," his message resonating with previous accomplishments he hopes will elevate his candidacy amongst competitors like Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and former State Controller Betty Yee, CBS Los Angeles reports.
The bid marks Villaraigosa's second run for governor following his 2018 campaign where he finished third in the June primary, his defeat not deterring him from holding a state advisory role under Newsom's guidance, solidifying his ambitions to return to public office with a focus on securing neighborhoods and ensuring high-quality education. His first-hand experience with urban crime reduction during his time as mayor is spotlighted in his announcement, where he claims he was instrumental in the 48% drop in violent crime, positioning Los Angeles as one of America's safest big cities, a statement that was rated mostly true by Politifact ahead of his previous gubernatorial bid.
Villaraigosa's political comeback was hinted at when he served as an infrastructure advisor for the state identifying priority projects and gunning for federal funds, his role reflecting a continued engagement in state affairs and a strategic move as he prepares to campaign against notable figures like the state's first LGBTQ+ Senate leader Toni Atkins, and Tony Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction aiming to be California's first Black governor. He hopes to carry forward his voice, one rooted in the diverse experiences of East Los Angeles which he often cites as formative in his understanding of the state’s multifaceted identity, NBC Los Angeles notes.
